Donna Rae Carter, 73, passed away peacefully at her home in Charleston, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, following a long hard fought battle with cancer.

She was born April 19, 1951, in Cairo, IL., to the late Charles Bural and Ann Marie Helms Samons. After High School, Donna pursued her career as a hairstylist, serving her community for many years.

On December 20, 1996, at the Bridges Methodist Church in Mississippi Co. Mo. she married Joseph W. Carter, who survives of the home.

She is survived by four children: Brandon Heath (Emily) Shands of Woodlawn, IL., Ashley Rae Crum of Willard, Mo., Laura Miles Simpson (David) of Broken Arrow, Ok. Madeline Kirkland Carter (Billy) of Franklin, Tn.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Austin Heath Shands, and Elizabeth Ann "Libby" Shands of Woodlawn, IL. A special grand-daughter, Addison Rae Crum of Willard, Mo., Briar Rose Crum of Willard, Mo. Claire Elizabeth Simpson Chappell (Jackson) of Dallas, Tx., Shelby Miles Simpson McKillip (Spencer) of Charleston, Mo. William Kirkland Carter and Mary Margaret Carter of Franklin, Tn. And one great-grandson, Easton James McKillip of Charleston, Mo., and her beloved Fur Baby "Lilly Rose" of the home.

Also surviving are two sisters: Dorothy Maxine Bozeman of East Prairie, Mo., and Bessie Marie Smith of Charleston, Mo.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Doris Ann Davis and her brother, Charlie Bural Samons. She was also preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, James Bozeman and Troy Smith.

Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 15, 2024, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, where the funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m.  Jon Archie of the Elm Street Baptist Church will officiate.

Burial will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be: Mark Smith, Michael Smith, Johnny Smith, Steve McClanahan, Daniel Adams, and Mark Hendricks.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Andrew Dickey, and all the fine nurses at the Southeast Cancer Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. for their love and caring treatment of their beloved Donna.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, memorials may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, Tn. or to the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com